Cases2304481/2023

Claimant v Eternal Care UK Ltd

27 January 2025Before Employment Judge M AspinallLondon Southremote video

Outcome

Claimant fails

Individual claims

Unfair Dismissalstruck out

Struck out for non-compliance with tribunal orders and failure to attend hearing. The tribunal also found the claimant lacked sufficient qualifying service for an unfair dismissal claim and the claim had no reasonable prospect of success.

Direct Discrimination(sexual orientation)struck out

Struck out for non-compliance with tribunal orders and failure to attend hearing. The tribunal also found that the discrimination claim on the grounds of sexual orientation did not appear reasonably arguable based on what was stated in the claim form.

Facts

The claimant brought claims for unfair dismissal and sexual orientation discrimination. She failed to comply with tribunal orders issued on 3 January 2025 requiring her to provide documents and attend a preliminary hearing on 27 January 2025. Despite warnings from two previous judges about the consequences of non-attendance, she did not attend the hearing and did not respond to attempts to contact her.

Decision

The tribunal struck out all claims under Rules 38(1)(a), (c) and (e). The tribunal found the claims had no reasonable prospect of success, the claimant had repeatedly failed to comply with orders, and it was no longer possible to fairly proceed given her unexplained absence and non-compliance.

Practical note

Repeated non-compliance with tribunal orders and failure to attend hearings despite explicit warnings will result in strike out, particularly where claims also appear to lack merit on their face.

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules 2024 Rule 38(1)(a)Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules 2024 Rule 52(1)(c)Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules 2024 Rule 38(1)(c)Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules 2024 Rule 38(1)(e)

Case details

Case number
2304481/2023
Decision date
27 January 2025
Hearing type
strike out
Hearing days
1
Classification
procedural

Respondent

Sector
healthcare
Represented
Yes
Rep type
lay rep

Claimant representation

Represented
No